Business Clusters

The objective of business clusters is to grow regional industries to exploit attractive markets where the region has existing or potential strangths. Clusters encourage businesses to work together to achieve this.

Over the last three years, businesses have collaborated with each other in cluster programmes for market exploitation, technology transfer, skills development, supply chain improvement, product development, overseas trade, and strategy planning.  In many cases this has led to tangible increases in innovation, confidence and sales.

Clusters have just published their Three Year Plans for 2008 to 2011. Each plan targets specific markets which will deliver critical mass and greater investment. Detail of individual clusters and their plans can be found on this page.

The following clusters are priorities for the West Midlands, based on their strength and their potential to create lasting wealth and employment:

• Aerospace - expert in systems that power and control aircraft, specialist materials, engineering design and is home to 25 per cent of the Rolls Royce supply chain. The cluster focus is on winning business on the New Short Range aircraft which will replace the A320 and the Boeing 737

• Automotive - the centre of the UK automotive industry with volume premium brands, niche vehicles, and an extended supply chain.  It has unique R&D expertise and  nearly all major emerging technologies are being developed here. Its focus is on low emission vehicles, intelligent transportation systems and niche vehicles

• Building Technologies - strong in off-site manufacturing, building materials as well as product design and engineering.  It is focusing on products to reduce CO² emissions and adapt buildings to climate change

• Business & Professional Services – second only to London in size and breadth, with particular strength in corporate and retail finance.  It focuses on innovation in services and on emerging markets like Islamic finance and cyber-business

• Environmental Technologies – particular strengths in renewable energy (especially wind and bio energy), waste management, water and waste water treatment and energy management

• Food & Drink – focusing on regional strengths in food innovation and engineering, to develop healthier food options and lower carbon products

• Interiors & Lifestyle – has many established interiors brands and an extraordinary wealth of lifestyle companies, covering furniture, ceramics, carpets, furnishings,  jewellery and fashion

• ICT – strong in research & development.  It is focussing on its strengths in strategic ICT adoption, software development, ICT security, mobile and wireless, informatics, photonics and radio frequency identification (RFID)

• Medical Technologies – focussing on markets for intelligent health, assistive technologies, infection control and human engineering.  This is supported by strengths in clinical trialling, engineering, imaging and orthopaedics

• Rail - a concentration of high value engineering,design and support businesses at the hub of the UK rail network.  It is focussing on infrastructure services, vehicle overhaul and supply, and intelligent systems

• Screen Image & Sound – strong in digital media and entertainment, lifestyle and business, including film, gaming, serious games and web 2.0 applications

• Tourism & Leisure - second only to London for major business tourism, primarily driven by the National Exhibition Centre and the ICC.  It has iconic cultural  brands such as Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and a growing reputation for food